Andy Gray apologises for sexist comments he "never intended to be broadcast"

His colleague Richard Key, who was disciplined by the channel for his role in the incident, also apologised today, claiming that "dark forces" were at work and admitting he is unsure of his future at the broadcaster.

Asked if he had considered resigning following the scandal, Keys said: "I am considering everything, there are all sorts of options on the table at the moment.

"It is very possible that somebody at Sky might take a view in the time I've been sitting with you today, that they need to and will act. This has not played its way out yet."

But he added that after apologising to Massey on Sunday he asked if he could publicise that his apology had been made and accepted.

The presenter said: "I was told no, and 24 hours passed by which time the world had gone mad.

"Now, I don't know why I was told no, I don't know why I was stopped from telling people that that's what I had done."

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Gray, who had been at the fore of Sky Sports' football coverage since it started covering top-flight English football in 1992, was recorded in a conversation with Keys questioning whether Ms Massey knew the offside rule.

Gray was then shown making similar comments to pitchside reporter Andy Burton, with the final straw appearing to be a video from last year where the Scot makes suggestive comments towards colleague Charlotte Jackson.

A statement released by Gray read: "I am very sorry that certain comments made by me have caused offence.

"Such comments were made off-air to work colleagues, and were, of course, never intended to be broadcast."

It continued: "Football is my life and I am devastated by losing the job that I love.

"I am equally upset that third parties have been dragged into this issue. I ask that the media respect their privacy so that they can continue in their roles.

"I have worked for Sky Sports loyally for over 20 years and I do not wish to comment further at this time."

Sky Sports have yet to comment on when Keys would be back fronting their football coverage.

Key also said: "Finding myself in the middle of something like this is most, most discomforting for me."

He said he had enjoyed "banter" during his phone apology to Ms Massey: "We left on very good terms."

"I can't tell you any more about the conversation beyond saying she was in good spirits and I expressed my disappointment that Andy and I, misguidedly having a little fun, had got it wrong.

"There is no excuse anywhere for anybody to make any judgment on someone else's ability to do a job because they are male or female, it was wrong."